When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, ¹⁴ saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”¹⁵ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” A.A. Milne,  Winnie-the-Pooh

We have just read in 6:12:

 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Emphasis mine).

Years ago, I was asked to give a series of studies on ”the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal.5:22,23). In my preparation, I learned so much. I remember reading Stephen Winward’s excellent book on the subject, published by ‘Inter Varsity Press.’ Writing about ”patience” he said we not only are called to wait on the Lord; we also have to learn to wait for Him. This was the case with Abraham. There was a time lag between the promise and the fulfillment.

Alex Haley was interviewed about his bestselling book ‘Roots’, which was also turned into a blockbusting television series. He was asked what he thought the secret of his success to be. He replied, ”Well, I remember something my grandma used to say: ‘You never know when the Lord’s going to come – but He’s always on time!’

Listening in the Wilds

The good, the enlightened of all ages and nations, have found pleasure and consolation in the beauty of the rural earth. Prophets of old retired into the solitudes of nature to wait the inspiration of heaven. It was on Mount Horeb that Elijah witnessed the mighty wind, the earthquake, and the fire, and heard the “still small voice”; that voice is yet heard among the mountains! Saint John preached in the desert; the wilderness is yet a fitting place to speak of God. Thomas Cole

Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.

² Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.

³ Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

⁴ Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?

⁵ Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.

⁶ Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

The last verse of Proverbs 26 says: ”A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

Warren Wiersbe says, ‘Flattery is not communication; it is manipulation.’

However, there clearly is a right and proper way to ”praise” another person (see 27:2). There is a way to encourage without employing flattery.

But there is also a gift in a timely and loving rebuke:

‘True friendship will occasionally involve wounds (vv.5-6) as you speak the truth in love (Eph.4:15) because friendship cannot be built upon deception or envy (v.4).’ Warren Wiersbe.

I remember an outstanding article in ‘Leadership Journal’ in which a well-known pastor wrote about the gift of feedback (or rebuke). He said that as a young pastor, the chairman of the church board took him out for lunch and raised a number of issues with him. He admitted that at the time he bridled a bit, but the wise chair said to him, ‘Pastor, you are going to have to develop a thicker skin. This is not about you personally, but helping to improve your ministry.’ From the perspective of years, this greatly respected pastor acknowledged that there was a gift to be treasured in that difficult conversation (and in others like it).

Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.
²⁴ Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
²⁵ Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.
²⁶ Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

This is an important reminder that the heart matters.

”But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.

However we come across externally (and the context of our passage particularly has to do with our words), God knows what we are like internally. Let’s make a point of endeavouring to cultivate an inner world which is pleasing to God, and will overflow with blessing into the world.

Integrity involves an integration of who we are on the inside with what we do and say on the outside.

PRAYER: Lord God, please keep from the sin of pretence; of just trying to keep up appearances. Renew and shape me within, and free me from all hypocrisy.

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.

She was a young girl: just a teenager in our Sunday school in Leeds. One day I was commending her on something or other. I forget what it was, but she was a brilliant and shining star among our young people at the time. She fixed me with a serious stare, as only she could, and quoted the above proverb. What wisdom, what maturity; not to mention Biblical knowledge from this young teen.

At the end of chapter 26 we saw that charm can disguise malicious intent, and how some people employ flattery to get their way. But it is a good use of the tongue to encourage another. Nevertheless, my young friend was correct: we are not to boast of ourselves.

A thought for Easter Monday:

“Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with our resurrection.”

Watchman Nee

A thought for Good Friday:

‘When you reflect upon Jesus Christ hanging on the cross of shame, you understand the depth and weight of human sin. How do we measure the size of a fire? By the number of firefighters and fire engines sent to fight against it. How do we measure the seriousness of a medical condition? By the amount of risk the doctors take in prescribing dangerous antibiotics or surgical procedures. How do we measure the gravity of sin and the incomparable vastness of God’s love for us? By looking at the magnitude of what God has done for us in Jesus, who became like a common criminal for our sake and in our place.’ Fleming Rutledge

Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.

This is so self-evidently true. Life can turn on a dime.

‘One of Dale Carnegie’s principles for overcoming worry is to live in “day-tight compartments.”  This term was first coined by Sir William Osler when he encountered this life-changing quote from Thomas Carlisle, “It is not our goal to see what lies dimly in the distance but to do what clearly lies at hand.” ‘

In the New Testament, James fills out the thought in today’s Proverb:

 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:13-17).

Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.
²⁴ Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
²⁵ Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.
²⁶ Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
    if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.

“If you don’t like what you are reaping, you had better change what you have been sowing.” Jim Rohn

It is a Biblical principle, often repeated, that we reap what we sow. Verse 27 is another way of expressing this same truth. We surely will reap in eternity, but the reaping starts here and now. It can work positively or negatively. I picture it like this: it can be as if you throw a boomerang, marvel at its graceful flight, and catch it on the way back. Or, it can be like being hit on the head by the boomerang you hurled earlier, but perhaps lost sight of.

“You reap what you sow: Life is like a boomerang. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy.” Grant M. Bright

Verse 27 appears in a section which is very much about our words, and their misuse. May God help us (see Jas.3:1-12).

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal.6:10).